P.R.A.Y.E.R. - R for Reveals

The first R in P.R.A.Y.E.R. is for “reveals.” Our prayer life is revealing in many ways. It’s been said that if you really want to learn about someone’s faith, you should listen to them pray.

 The content of our prayers reveals our beliefs and view of God. Are our prayers filled mostly with requests? Are we truly seeking the Giver or just the gifts? Do we view Him solely as our rescuer who is on call when needed to help us with our problems?  

 The substance of our prayers reveals much about our relationship with God. God is the ultimate Giver and our source of wisdom, but prayer is more than just requests or cries for help. An intimate relationship with God is built upon a balanced prayer life that recognizes Him for all that He is to us as our Creator, Lord, Sustainer and Savior. With a healthy prayer life, we instinctively come to Him with praise, confession, and gratitude in addition to our requests. 

 “What comes into our mind when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” A.W. Tozer

 Prayer reveals to us the heart and mind of God. Do we love what God loves? Do we know what He loves? Do we know what He wants us to pray for? All great questions to consider.

 As we grow closer to God and experience His goodness, our hearts become more aligned with His. We gain a better understanding of His passions and desires. We seek His will in our prayers.

 Ephesians 1:18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people

 Prayer reveals how we see ourselves in relation to God. Prayer leads to self-knowledge that cannot be achieved in any other way. In prayer, we encounter God and are exposed to His holiness. We see ourselves as we truly are - sinners desperately in need of a savior. 

 1 Corinthians 13:12 Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

 God knows us completely and from Him can we hide nothing. Prayer gives us the opportunity to know Him better though we won’t have complete knowledge of Him in this life.

 Prayer reveals our priorities. Our prayers reveal what is most important to us. We are all guilty of trying to control our environment with our prayer life. Sometimes our prayers are nothing more than the American Dream (health, wealth, and happiness) with a little Jesus mixed in. It is not wrong to pray for these things but this shouldn’t be the full extent of our prayers. Our highest priority should be to seek Him with all our hearts. In doing so, He reveals His will and plans for our life.

Stay Hungry,

Big E

Matt. 5:6